By Jill PenleyFREELANCE WRITER

It’s easy, and it doesn’t take very long, but some neglect to respond to the U.S. Census, possibly costing

Johnson County much-needed funding.

I n m i d -March, most households re-ceived an invita-tion in the mail to respond to the 2020 Census. Census takers are scheduled to visit households that have not yet responded to the 2020 Cen-sus beginning in August.

“As we hope-f u l l y m o v e t h rough t he Covid-19 virus and things begin to reopen, it is a great time to refocus on the importance of

Census 2020,” said Mike Taylor, Johnson County Mayor, who stress-es the total number we count now will affect us for the next ten years. “The official count for Johnson

6 56525 10651 4

THE TOMAHAWKMountain City, Tennessee 3768375 centsWednesday, June 24, 2020 Vol. 146 No. 26www.thetomahawk.com

Community Calendar ...........A2Education .............................A3Court Report .........................A4Accent ..................................A5Service Directory ...............A4,5From Page One ...................A6

Sports ..............................B1Obituaries ........................B2Features ..........................B3Faith ................................B4Classifieds .................B4,5,6

INSIDE:

By Tamas MondovicsEDITOR

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT Elizabethton), plans to launch its first diesel train-ing program for adults in Mountain City this September, a program that has been in the making for some time.

The announcement by TCAT President Dean Blevins and John-son County, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Director Herbie Adams, came in a press release last week.

According to TCAT and John-son County Schools officials, the program will be taught in the TCAT Addition to the Career and Technical Education Building at the Johnson County High School from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Certificates are confirmed to be awarded as Preventative Mainte-nance Service Technician, Diesel Engine Assembler, Diesel Techni-cian Apprentice, and Diesel Techni-cian. Snap-On Certificates will be

Low response could be costly

to region

2020 CENSUS

Correction:

TCAT confirms launch of fall diesel training in Mountain City

“It is estimated that we lose

approximately $1,100 per

person that is not counted in the census.”

Johnson County MayorMike Taylor

Waving to motorists, Johnson County Cancer Support Group (JCCSG) Director, Flo Bellamy, (front), is joined by Joey Adams during one of the group’s annual fundraiser events held last weekend, downtown Mountain City TN.

Divided into four groups, volunteers worked in two-hour shifts covering two locations on Friday and Saturday, from 9-11 a.m. to 11 a.m. -1 p.m., and raised $8,800, more than double compared to last year. The community’s great

generosity through financial support is appreciated by the non-profit JCCSG, its volunteers, and the more than 200 patients that the group supports. According to Bellamy, the funds provide much-needed gas money, nutritional supplements, and funds to travel to treatments. “We have been doing this since 1994, and this community has

always been very supportive,” Bellamy said. “We thank everyone very much.” Photo By Tamas Mondovics

Generous community support appreciated

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

Johnson County Mayor Mike Taylor and Director of Accounts and Budgets Russell Robinson presented the 2020-2021 county budget during the June 18 commis-sion meeting at the Johnson County Courthouse. Not only was the bud-get balanced, but also tax rates will stay the same.

“I’m very pleased to say, thanks

to the County Mayor and Budget Committee, we’re presenting bal-anced books tonight,” Robinson explained before diving into more specific details. We’re also present-ing budgets with no tax raise.”

The Budget Committee met a few days prior on June 16. Members originally foresaw a 15-cent county property tax increase but managed to keep the rate at its current rate, $2.05.

According to officials, the County property tax rates will increase next year if the current rate does not work well.

During the May meeting, Mayor Taylor asked the commission for its permission to apply for a local government grant. This month he reported the county received a grant for nearly $638,000. Accord-ing to Mayor Taylor, the money is directly related to the census, and

County property tax rate confirmedJOHNSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

By Meg DickensSTAFF WRITER

In an effort to share details on

their views and ask for local sup-port, State Representative can-didates Neal Kerney and Scotty Campbell signed up to speak at the Johnson County Commission meeting on Thursday, June 18.

Both 2020 Republican candi-dates are conservatives with strong ties to Johnson County while boast of experiences that could prove valuable to the post.

Former State Representative Timothy Hill was from Blountville but stayed involved in Johnson County after his election in 2012. Examples include supporting Johnson County Schools’ robotics teams and attending local events. Now either Kerney or Campbell will take his place and become Johnson County’s new voice.

Local candidates fight to represent

District 3

adsales@thetomahawk.com or 727-6121 ext. 22.Deadline: Fri, June 26, 12 PM

In Honor In MemoryPublishing July 1

Independence Day:

“I’m very pleased to say, thanks to the County Mayor and Budget Committee, we’re presenting balanced books tonight,

we’re also presenting budgets with no tax raise.”

Johnson County Director of Accounts and Budgets Russell Robinson

Johnson County, Career and Technical Education (CTE), Director Herbie Adams stands inside the newly launched diesel training classroom at the Career and Technical Education Building at the Johnson County High School campus. The program is scheduled to start this September,

applications are being accepted now for the first trimester. Photo by Tamas Mondovics

See Census Page A6

See TCAT Page A6

See District 3 Page A6

See Budget Page A6

Senior Walk … see full story on page A3

DECISION 2020

In last week’s article entitled ‘Gov-ernment Funding Drops Affecting Jo.Co. Schools’ a statement should have read: “Simcox assured Matheson and the Board that legislators are aware of the numbers. Simcox reportedly sent a plea to Senator Jon Lundberg and State Representative Timothy Hill explaining just how much the county would fall short if the Governor’s Office follows through with its plan to remove two percent of BEP funding.”